‘U3 takes on the world’: Kumar Mangalam Birla shares his vision for 2025

Aditya Beer Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla gave his outlook for 2024-25 as he shed light on uncertainty, Donald Trump’s impact, the importance of technology, India’s manufacturing power and the group’s bold moves to consolidate. The place in 2025.

This is what Birla had to say:

As we move into 2024, we have reached a major milestone – a quarter of a century. It’s amazing to consider the vast history that has unfolded in just 25 years. This era has been ordinary.

We have experienced seismic shifts, from the rise of the digital age and the global economy to climate challenges and the inevitable march towards artificial intelligence. These 25 years have seen changes that would have taken centuries to manifest in the past. In many ways, different periods of history have collided and merged, leaving us in a world that is more connected, more fragmented, more advanced yet anxious, and more hopeful yet uncertain than ever before.

In the year Accepting uncertainty in 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, we find ourselves in the world of U3 – uncertain, unpredictable and extraordinary. The key is not to resist this uncertainty, but to embrace it. This reset may well explain the paradox of our time: a world full of potential but shrouded in ambiguity. Although social media seems to be shaping reality, the real picture is far more complex and influential than the surface images we see on our feeds.

Trump’s cause and global influence

One factor that could dramatically shape the coming year is the Trump Factor. This has the potential to redefine global geopolitical dynamics with significant implications for the global economy and business environment. The United States has long been an important market for our group outside India, with investments exceeding $15 billion, including the current $4 billion greenfield expansion.

I am confident that the strength of India-US relations will continue to grow in the coming years. The U.S. economy is unmatched in its flexibility, and our investments will help fuel a growing manufacturing sector. As Warren Buffett wisely said, “Never bet against America.

India’s new manufacturing power

The global push into manufacturing is a welcome development, reflecting a move towards more diversified supply chains. India, often credited for its industrial strength, is well positioned to seize this opportunity. The move of Apple’s ecosystem to India is a clear example; Soon, a quarter of the world’s iPhones will be manufactured there. The Indian automobile sector has also become a global force in exporting components and vehicles.

Indian Cement Industry: A Hidden Powerhouse

One of India’s less recognized industrial triumphs is its cement industry, which is the second largest in the world. This important sector has accelerated infrastructure development across the country, creating jobs and promoting economic development. In the year By 2024, our flagship cement company, UltraTech Cement, has crossed a significant milestone of 150 MTPA capacity. UltraTech now produces more than 1.5 times the total cement production of the United States and holds more than 80% of Europe’s capacity. This is a testament to India’s growing industrial strength and influence on the global manufacturing renaissance.

2024: Year of Courageous Movements

For us at the Aditya Birla Group, 2024 has been a year of remarkable breakthroughs – a time when we fully embrace our role as drivers of transformational investments. We have seen the breadth and depth of our businesses come to life, from expanding into new growth platforms such as paints, jewelery retail and B2B e-commerce for building materials to strengthening leadership in our core businesses such as cement and steel. We revitalized our telecom partnerships and accelerated the transformation of our financial services and fashion retail businesses. This is truly a year of great achievements.

The power and dynamics of the Aditya Birla Group

Each of these initiatives stands as a significant achievement on its own, but together they demonstrate the power and flexibility of our team. With our unique combination of capital, talent, brand strength and industry expertise, we are able to move quickly and decisively even in the face of global uncertainty.

I always believe that the stronger we are, the more impact we have, and the more lives we can enrich. This philosophy encourages us to think broadly about the positive outcomes we can create for all our stakeholders – employees, consumers, partners, investors and society at large. Ultimately, business should be a force for good.

Celebrating Pilani’s legacy at BITS

In the year 2024 also marks the 60th anniversary of BITS Pilani, an institution founded by my great grandfather Mr GD Beer and nurtured by our family for generations. BITS Pilani has become a symbol of India’s entrepreneurial spirit, and I have had the privilege of leading it for the past 16 years. With over 6,400 startup founders, including 17 unicorn and decacorn founders, it has revolutionized the Indian entrepreneurship ecosystem.

BITS Pilani always fosters critical thinking, bold dreams and relentless ambition. I remember a conversation I had with my grandfather in the 1970s when I thought that BITS was paying attention to Pilani. He smiled and said, “While Pilani’s recognition was a positive outcome, the real objective was to create a talent factory for rapidly industrializing India. His words are a reminder of the institution’s deeper purpose.

This belief in the power of talent is also reflected in the Aditya Birla Scholarship, a program started 25 years ago in memory of my father. Today, the program has 781 scholars, a talented group shaping the future of global organizations and institutions. Investing in talent is the foundation on which we build the future.

The next level of the 21st century

Looking back at the first two decades of the 21st century, technology dominated the landscape. Social media has democratized content, amplified voices, and opened up opportunities on an unprecedented scale. However, this revolution has come at a cost – the same tools that have connected billions have also fragmented communities, polarized discourse and eroded trust. We may be reaching the peak of this split era.

A new era of unity

The next decade could bring about a more profound change – one where technology is harnessed as a force for unity. Beyond algorithm-driven engagement, the need for authenticity and deep engagement will drive the next wave of innovation. Forums evolve to bridge divides, foster understanding, and celebrate our common humanity. This communication initiative extends beyond social media and impacts how businesses, governments and communities interact with individuals. From virtual communities to virtual technologies that dissolve boundaries, the quest for connection can be the glue that binds a fractured world together.

A vision of the future

The next chapter of the 21st century awaits us, one that requires vision, clarity and commitment. We stand on the cusp of a new era with the potential to shape a more integrated, connected and prosperous world.